David Denby Stepping Down as New Yorker Film Critic

David Denby Stepping Down as New Yorker Film Critic

David Denby is stepping aside as one of the New Yorker’s film critics after 16 years in the position. Although a tweet by his colleague John Lahr, which wished him “Farewell” and congratulated him on “a distinguished sixteen year ride,” seemed to indicate Denby was leaving the magazine, that is not the case. (Criticwire previously reported it was; we regret the error.) Instead, Denby will remain as a staff writer with an office at the magazine’s new location, focusing, as he said in an email, on “longer pieces on movies and other things,” and “contribut[ing] to the web when I have something juicy to say.” Denby’s previous position will not be filled, and Anthony Lane will remain as the New Yorker’s sole staff film critic.

New Yorker director of communications Natalie Raabe emailed the following statement:

"David Denby is most definitely not leaving The New Yorker. He is going to give up his fortnightly reviewing in early 2015 but will continue as a staff writer, contributing longer critic-at-large pieces to the magazine (on films, books, and likely other subjects). Anthony Lane will become the magazine's sole film critic and Richard Brody will continue at The Front Row on newyorker.com. Between their work and David's contributions, there will be no shortage of film coverage.
(This is not dissimilar to the situation with theater: Hilton Als is our theater critic, while John Lahr just published a long profile of Al Pacino (who has a play in the works in 2015), with more to come.)"